Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 577

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

WEI-HAI-WEI

衛海威 Wei-hai-wei

Wei-hai-wei is situated on the south side of the Gulf of Pechihli near the extremity of the Shantung Promontory, and about 115 miles distant from Port Arthur on the north-west and the same from the German port of Kiaochau on the south-west. Formerly a strongly fortified Chinese naval station, it was captured by the Japanese on 30th January, 1895, and was held by them pending the payment of the indemnity, which was finally liquidated in 1898. Before the evacuation by the Japanese an agreement was arrived at between Great Britain and China that the former should take over the territory on lease from the latter, and accordingly, on the 24th May, 1898, the British flag was formally hoisted, the Commissioners representing their respective countries at the ceremony being Consul Hopkins, of Chefoo, and Captain Kinghall, of H.M.S. Narcissus, for Great Britain, and Taotai Yen and Captain Lien, of the Chinese war vessel Foochi, for China.

The harbour forms a deep bight or bay about eighteen miles in circumference, sheltered to the northward by the island of Liukungtao, which is about two miles long from east to west and one mile from north to south in its widest part, being approximately pear-shaped. The northern or sea coast of Liukungtao is composed of steep cliffs, while the opposite side is sandy beach, the intervening hills rising to a height of about 500 feet. The general appearance of the harbour is picturesque, the bay being surrounded with hills, the highest of which is about 1,600 feet. The town of Wei-hai-wei, which has a population of about 4,000, is situated at the north-west corner of the bay.

The harbour is good, having two entrances, one to the north and the other to the east, the easterly one, however, being closed to all ships drawing more than 19 feet of water. Good anchorage is obtainable for the largest ships within a few hundred yards from the Island, and moorings have already been laid down for torpedo boat destroyers. All the Government buildings on the Island have or are being put in repair, the largest of these, namely Queen's House, formerly the Chinese Yâmen, being used as a Council Chamber, Commissioner's Residence, etc., and here the Commiss- ioner dispenses justise every forenoon. The next largest building is now used as an Officers' Club, one corner of which is supposed to be the place where Admiral Ting committed suicide, the house having been formerly his private residence. Amongst the other houses of importance are the Canteen, Warrant Officers' Club, and Barracks. There is also a signal station at the top of Centurion Hill, the highest point on the Island, from which passing ships are signalled. Small quantities of minerals, such as gold, mica, etc., have been discovered and are about to be worked. There is good shooting to be obtained on the mainland and good bathing from the Island in the summer. There are also Cricket, Football, Hockey, and Tennis Clubs.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 577

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